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My favourite 6 cheap winter warmers from Aldi and Lakeland
From electric blankets to heated throws, battery-powered scarves to a car seat warmer powered by my cigarette lighter, I’ve been trying out the best gadgets to stay warm through winter.
Here’s my pick of the cheap gadgets that can cut your heating bill without touching the thermostat.
Best for a shopping trip: Lakeland electric scarf
I’ve had more questions about the electric scarf than anything else this winter. It’s brilliant for a brisk dog walk or to brave the school run. This winter warmer has carried me through shopping trips, school carol concerts, church services and drinks with friends – outdoor pub meet-ups were much more comfortable thanks to my toasty scarf.
It has a little light-up power button on the front, and so many people have asked me about it as I’ve been out and about. When I explain what it is, they all ask for the link, so there’s clearly a gap in the market.
I like mine so much, I bought one for my mum for Christmas. I’d recommend it to anyone, but there’s a ‘last chance to buy’ tag that makes me think anyone who wants one needs to snap it up quickly.
It has three heat settings, so whether I need a gentle warmth or a toasty embrace, I can adjust the settings to find the perfect level of cosiness.
For full disclosure, mine gets a bit too hot at the back if I wear it against bare skin, so I always have a soft scarf or a snood underneath.
Cost to run: 40p for a full charge that lasts two days or more
Best for moving round the house: Heated shawl
I’ve loved this Lakeland Staysnug Battery Operated Heated Shawl. A wireless heated throw meets an electric poncho, it’s ideal for walking around the house, wearing it in the garden on chilly evenings, or walking the dog at the crack of dawn.
Soft, cosy and easy to use, the shawl is made from black fleece, with a simple one-push button operation (disguised as a real button, no less), so it’s really easy to use.
It has that reassuring feeling of quality that all Lakeland things offer. Just going into one of their shops I feel like life might be a tiny bit better.
Like the heated scarf, there’s a flag in the listing saying it’s going to be discontinued, so be quick if you want one.
Cost to run: 40p for a full charge that lasts two days or more
Best for bedtime: Electric blankets
Few things in life can be quite as perfect as getting into a bed that’s already been warmed up by an electric blanket.
I’ve had one for years. I grew up in a house without central heating, in the days of ice inside the windows on winter mornings, so electric blankets take me back to childhood. There’s something familiar and lovely about the gentle warmth, soothing away aches and pains.
I bought this one for my elder daughter for £39.99 or there’s a double one with different zones for £69.99. It’s reassuringly safe, with six different heat settings – which you can switch between using the handy controller. As well as the customisable heat settings, it also has three time settings, so I can relax knowing it’ll turn off when she dozes off. There’s also overheating protection, so it stays at the heat she chooses without getting too hot.
Can you wash an electric blanket?
Yes. Despite being electronically heated, it’s as easy to wash as other, non-heated, bedsheets. I simply unplug the controller and give it a spin in the washing machine at 30°C to get it fresh.
Cost to run: 2-3p an hour
Best for working from home: Heated throws
When I was tasked with snoozing on the job to find out which was best, I knew exactly where to go – Lakeland make seriously good heated textiles.
I’ve had quite a few of theirs over the years. There’s a full range this winter, with prices starting at £39.99 .
Last time I got the gorgeous dark velvety blanket and current favourite is the StaySnug Bubble Faux Fur Lakeland Heated Throw . Made from the softest faux fur, this luxury heated throw blanket has me toasty warm in no time.
With nine heat settings, which are easily switched between using the easy-to-use controller, it offers the perfect temperature at the press of a button.
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It also has nine time settings, so I can relax knowing that it will turn off if I doze off in front of the TV, or reading a book. There’s built-in overheating protection, so I can set the heat and time easily before sprawling out across the sofa.
Cost to run: 2-3p an hour
Best bargain buy: Aldi heated blanket
In the middle aisle, I spotted a cosy Heated Blanket for £29.99. With four levels of built-in warmth, a digital hand controller and LED display for easy temperature adjustments, it’s even machine-washable at 30°C for ease. It’s perfect for snuggling up in front of the TV on cold winter nights.
Cost to run: 2-3p an hour
Best for drivers: Aldi heated car seat cover
Another middle aisle buy, for a bargain £7.99, I plugged this little beauty into my car’s cigarette lighter on the drive home and it’s not left my driver’s seat since.
It heats up quickly and evenly to just the right level of warmth. With a bit of clever jiggling, I can’t feel the wire that connects it to the 12V power source.
It has been both comfort and joy this winter – so much so that I’ve started searching branches of Aldi further afield for more to give to friends and family, so be quick and grab one before I buy them all.
